EGAT to purchase 390 megawatts of electricity from Laos

BANGKOK, 12 June 2012 – Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has been given a nod to purchase 390 megawatts of electricity (EGAT) from Laos to solve the problem of electricity shortage in northeastern provinces of Thailand.

Director of EGAT Mr. Sutad Pattamasiriwat stated that the Energy Policy and Planning Officers had consented on the EGAT buying of electrical power from Laos. The power will be from Sapien-Senamnoi project which has the generating capacity of 390 megawatts, and will be transmitted from a sub-station near the border of Ubonratchathani beginning in August, 2018. The purchase contract is to run for 27-year at the cost of ฿2.30 per unit.

Meanwhile, the Thai government has also given a green light to the Egat proposed construction of coal-powered electricity generating plant at its own expense, but ordered the agency to reduce the plant's generating capacity to only 4,000 megawatts, as well as inform the locals of the needs and necessity of coal power plant construction in the future. The first plant will be able to distribute electricity in 2018.